Egypt: We have no interest in confronting US or Israel

Official says Egypt not interested in confrontational stance employed by Turkey following US recognition of J'lem. 'Egypt comes first.'

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Arutz Sheva Staff, 14/12/17 08:43

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An Egyptian official told Israel Hayom that his country had no interest in confronting the United States over its recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, even as representatives of the member states of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation have attacked Israel and President Donald Trump.

At an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who chaired the event, demanded Muslim-majority nations counter President Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital by declaring the city the capital of a future Palestinian state.

Erdogan's top diplomat early Wednesday indicated that Ankara would be pushing for OIC states to, in a counter move, recognize "East Jerusalem" as the capital of a future Palestinian state.

"This step taken by the US legitimizes the occupation [of Jerusalem]", Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavsuoglu told a meeting of OIC foreign ministers before the summit.

"We will never be silent," he said, urging countries to recognize "Palestine" on the basis of Israel's pre-1967 borders, and to declare eastern Jerusalem as the capital.

"This oppression diminishes the chance for peace and coexistence," he added.

Erdogan, himself, accused Trump of a "Zionist mentality."

"The real proprietor of these lands is Palestine. Mr. Trump wants all this to be Israel. This is the product of an evangelist and Zionist mentality," he said according to AFP, adding that there can no longer be "any question" of the United States being a mediator in Israel-PA negotiations.

Responding to the confrontational stance taken by Turkey, the Egyptian source said, "Jerusalem is as dear to us as to any Arab or Muslim in the world, but we have no interest in confronting the US or Israel, and we have made it clear to the Palestinians. Support they will receive, but Egyptian interests come first."

“With all due respect to Erdoğan, Egypt has its own interests and it will not take part in the campaign led by Erdoğan, who will ultimately pay the price."